Mnangagwa rewards soldiers, police

Published: 12 July 2018

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa's government has awarded a whopping 22,5% "special allowance" rise to members of the security service, raising fears that the gesture could be a vote-buying gimmick as it came a few weeks before the July 30 general elections.

The allowance, according to government circulars shown to NewsDay yesterday, took effect on July 1.

Opposition parties claimed the allowance was meant to pay back soldiers for facilitating Mnangagwa's rise to power last November.

According to a letter signed by Defence and Police Services Commissions secretary Pretty Sunguro, the military would get 22,5% rise while police would get a 20% increase.

Part of the letter dated and addressed to Defence and War Veterans Affairs secretary Melusi Matshiya read: "Following consultations between the office of the chairman of the Defence Forces Services Commission, honourable minister and secretary for Defence and War Veterans Affairs please find attached a key scale with 20% special allowance applied to members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police. Accordingly, proceed and effect adjustment with effect from July 1, 2018, as indicated on the key scales."

The letter was copied to defence forces command element.

The scales show that a brigadier-general or air commodore, for example, has an approved salary of between $813 and $850, a housing allowance of $361, an official vehicle, an approved (REP allowance) of $566, special allowance of between $391 and $400 making a total monthly package of between $2 131 and $2177.

Government has also offered similar, but lower allowances as the grades go down.

The schedule for police was not immediately available, but an offer of 20% special allowance has been approved by Treasury, according to Sunguro's letter to Home Affairs minister Obert Mpofu Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage secretary.

Finance minister Patrick Chinamasa could not be reached for comment as he was dropping calls. His deputy Terrence Mukupe also refused to comment, curtly saying:"I will refer that to Chinamasa. Talk to him."